Today, we’ll introduce you to the risk factors and symptoms often associated with delirium. Then, we’ll give you advice on useful actions to take before medical assistance arrives.

Risk factors and possible symptoms of delirium

The Royal College of Psychiatrists defines delirium as:

“A state of mental confusion that can happen if you become medically unwell. It is also known as an 'acute confusional state'.”

More specifically, the symptoms of delirium include:

Lack of awareness

Confusion over current location

Mood swings (fear, anxiety, depression and irritability)

Inability to follow/contribute to conversations

Unusually vivid and/or waking dreams

Hearing unexplained noises

Hallucinations

Paranoia

Agitation and restlessness

Sleepiness or fatigue

Inverse sleeping pattern

Delirium is most often a secondary symptom of an underlying health condition or form of medication. The most common types of condition that may also cause delirium include memory problems, issues with hearing/eyesight, recovery from surgery or brain-related illnesses.

Advice for reducing delirium

As delirium is often the result of another condition, treating the root cause is usually the only way to avoid continued instances of confusion.

Certainly, if you encounter someone in the midst of delirium, your first action should be to seek assistance from a trained medical professional.

However, there are more immediate steps you can take to make your loved one more comfortable, some of which may even help reduce delirium:

Help them understand what’s happening and therefore what they’re experiencing

Put a calendar and clock nearby to help remind them of the time/date

Ensure they have access to glasses/hearing aids they might require

Leave a light on throughout the night to help them navigate the space safely

Help them have a snack and water if they’re able to

Bring some cherished items from home if they’ve been admitted to hospital

Make sure they’re with someone they know well (this is especially important for older people experiencing delirium as a symptom of sundowning)

In addition to reducing delirium by taking these steps, you’re likely to require a longer-term plan to ensure your loved one receives the support they need.

Live-in care is uniquely placed to help support older people at risk of delirium. Our experienced, medically-trained carers will be on hand 24/7 to reduce your loved one’s risk of becoming delirious, and to intervene should this condition become apparent.